Hip Hop Routine from So You Think You Can Dance?

This following video gives us a background of two dancers from the TV show So You Think You Can Dance? They tell us how they ended up dancing and basically how they got this far. Then after all of the information is given the two dancers will perform a hip hop routine. This routine will show viewers what steps hip hop consists of and get the basic idea of with this particular genre of dance looks like.

It's the Creativity that Counts

Over time, many have tried to gather several thoughts, ideas, and opinions to develop a definition that explains what is meant by Creative Nonfiction. Although there have been thoughts of what it meant, there was never any literal meaning that could define Creative Nonfiction. During the past, Creative Nonfiction was referred to as “literary journalism” because the main task of the author was to correspond the information to the readers just as a speaker would with an audience. According to Lee Gutkind, who was known as the Godfather of Creative Nonfiction, the genre was only officially identified or “born” in the year of 1983. Gutkind was the person that helped one understand that while writing Creative Nonfiction the author comes upon many challenges before finishing the story. These obstacles are taken in order for the author to achieve their goal of success.
Creative Nonfiction is one of the few types of genres in which a book can be classified. Each form of writing, such as fiction, mystery, romance, action, nonfiction, and horror, are all unique in their own way; however, Creative Nonfiction is extremely interesting compared to these genres. The story consists of true facts and legitimate information, but by using the literary tools the author converts these given details into a narrative. It is an enjoyable way for an author to write because it is a given opportunity to combine nonfiction elements and literary elements. It can be known as way to incorporate not only personal experiences, but also other people’s experiences.
In this case, Creative Nonfiction connects the educational facts from research with literary techniques, which include the setting, characters, language, theme, and narration. The information written in a Creative Nonfiction story is not made up. It is all valid material that just takes a more interesting approach on the way in which it is presented to the readers. The information seems to come alive as you are reading it and it is revealed in a way so that the reader doesn’t get preoccupied and lose track of the story.
Two works of literature that appear in the form of Creative Nonfiction are All Around Town by Herbert Asbury and The Curve of Binding Energy by John McPhee. Both of these works tell the story of actual events that have taken place in the past and provide the reader with factual information. Even though these events are presented with realistic information, the story comes alive through the setting, plot, scene selections, and narration to those who read the book. All Around Town can be used as an example of this particular style of writing because it is a book with multiple stories about the history of New York and how it has developed over the years; however, Asbury tend to exaggerate when he writes these short stories and expresses these facts about New York City in a humorous way. Asbury does this to attract the reader’s attention and to also help out the reader by giving them a better understanding of the important details that are mentioned in each of the stories. John McPhee did the same thing and followed the same methods as Asbury when he wrote The Curve of Binding Energy, which told about the life story of Theodore B. Taylor. In this book, McPhee presents the facts as well as expressing the story in a creative and interesting way. He does this to grasp the reader’s attention and keep them involved while reading the book.
I feel that Creative Nonfiction is a different piece of writing in its own, unique way. These stories consist of factual information that is written in a creative manner. As one reads the story, they not only learn from the actual information, but they are also able to enjoy the story at the same time as they learn. Overall, Creative Nonfiction is a good way to keep reader informed and entertained in an appropriate, creative fashion.

Reactions and Expectations

Before I began to read The Curve of Binding Energy, by John McPhee, I could tell right away that it was mostly going to be about nuclear physics and other scientific resources. This book is an educational source that paints a portrait of a fascinating man as he describes the poor security surrounding nuclear materials. The storyline consists of several procedures that Theodore Taylor had completed during his lifetime. Such events were the Orion Project, ways in which Taylor started his career as becoming an atomic bomb designer, bomb construction, and safeguards; however, it was the safeguards that tended to stick out to me the most. The information McPhee gives in the book about safeguards have influenced me to become more aware of what is going on in our world today.
When I read the book, I realized that McPhee came to the same agreement with Taylor for the need of nuclear safeguards. Taylor believed that anyone is capable of making a bomb; therefore, his desire for the need of safeguards was very strong. I feel that knowing that this material is accessible brings fear into people’s lives. This particular topic seemed to stick out the most since McPhee tends to keep mentioning this point to the readers. Safeguards were very laidback during Taylor’s time of contribution; access to personal material was a lot easier than it is today because the technological sources were not as high. In other words, security policies weren’t as crazy as they are during today’s day and age. No one would be checking every little object in your bag before you got onto planes, there weren’t metal detectors in as many places as there are today, police cars wouldn’t pull over big trucks just to see what they transporting, but the occurrence of the World Trade Center in 2001 was a wakeup to all security systems.
While I was reading the story, I began to think of the reason of why McPhee chose to write about Taylor’s life story? Was it because of the work on his projects, or was it his concern for the use of the bombs that positioned him apart from other theoretical physicists? These are some of the questions that came up while I was reading the book. I was curious to know what made McPhee so interested with this topic.
McPhee continues to talk about many aspects of Taylor’s life throughout the story. The way he explains Taylor’s use of bomb construction helped me comprehend reasons for why Taylor was doing this. Taylor imagined using nuclear bombs to drive massive objects into space, and when Taylor made nuclear bombs he was not just making them to just have something else on his list of accomplishments, but he was doing it to invent new, different, and positive ways for them to be used, because he was not the gullible type to think of ways to move backwards and try to abolish them. Taylor always wanted to make things bigger and better and that is something that I admired about him.
After reading this book, it has come to my attention that it seemed easy for people to make bombs back then with such limited resources, imagine what it is like now with all of this new technology. I have learned that new sources of technology play a large role in this world today. Even things such as TV and internet keep people involved and in contact with everything, where back when Taylor worked not everyone knew about everything that went on. No one knew about these little bombings or attacks because the media wasn’t as engaged and curious about what was happening because they didn’t think it was as big of a deal at the time. That is why Taylor did things without violating any of the secrets. He didn’t want it to get out because then everyone would know. Even I agree with Taylor that safeguards should be play big part in our life because without them all secrets would be let loose.
As a reader, I think McPhee gives us a full understanding of The Curve of Binding Energy. He explains in detail the threats of nuclear activity, which causes me to consider not only the harmful dangers of nuclear weapons and the way they are used, but it also made me become curious of the people who create them. This reading opened my eyes and has readied me to become more aware of what is going on in our world today. I agree with Taylor in that we need to take more safety measures when dealing with safeguarding our nuclear resources. The warning that he presents to us should enable us to grasp the idea that nuclear bombings will have less of a chance of occurring in the future and it is extremely essential that nuclear materials are safeguarded to every extent possible. If people haven’t realized by now that nuclear attacks are possible anywhere at anytime, then reading the information in McPhee’s book about Theodore B. Taylor will give them an incentive to become conscious of the potential fears and expectations of nuclear activity.

Competition Continues!

These past two in New York, cheerleading teams have competed in competitions throughout New York City just to make to the state competition held at Fordham Univeristy. Now your probably thinking why am I writing about cheerleading? Well the thing is these girls don't only hit sharp moves and stunts, but they also have two dance sections in their cheer where they have to show off their personality and creativity just as dancers do when they dance on stage. The intensity is so high when watching these girls perform. They have to make sure everything is pefect in order to win the first place spot. But to watch the creativity of these routines is so amazing. These girls truly work as a team to make sure all the stunts hit, tumbling is perfect, and the dance is unque. The judges at these competitions are similiar to those at the dance competitions in the way that they both look for uniqueness and creativity because after a while you do get tired of seeing the repeated movements over and over again year after year. But these girls work hard for what they accomplish and im sure no matter what the outcome is the coaches and the girls are proud of themselves for what they have done and accomplished over the year. As long as you perform to the best of your ability, the trophy shouldn't matter because you know you did what you could to get this far in the first place.

Dance Factory

Dance Factory is a dance studio on Staten Island, NY that is open to girls and boys to take dance classes that they prefer. There is hip-hop, jazz, pointe, ballet, technique, tap, lyrical, acro, and even yoga. These classes are great ways to become active and get in shape no matter what age category you belong to! The regular classes, which consist of non-company memebers, practice once to twice a week and perform their dances at the recital in June. However, the company classes take part in more than one performance. These classes have more than one or two dances because as a compnay member it is mandatory for these girls or boys to take the following classes. Jazz, tap, hip-hop, technique, ballet, and lyrical. All other classes being optional. But these dancers will peform a dance from each genre at two competitions, sometimes three. Two of them usually being regionals, and the one being a national. The regional competition consists of less schools and it isnt as long of a competition, where the national competition has more schools competing and it is usually about a week long. Not only are these classes fun to take, but it is a good way for any perspective dancer to learn the different aspects that dance has to offer.

Breaking it Down

Breakdancing started in the very late 60's and became even more popular in year's to come. This particular kind of dance originated in New York mostly amongst members of the African American community. They would form groups and dance with or against each opther in their communities. Over the years, the style of breakdancing has been borrowed from all types of dances and martial arts. If you watch a breakdancer move you will see that most of these moves are similiar to kung fu!
James brown was truly the godfather of breakdancing. One of his most famos dances came about from "Good Foot" which was soon renamed the "B-boy". Not long after this point the DJ Afrika Bambaataa popularized breakdancing with various musical changes with impacted the breakdancing community forever. By 1977 various breakdancing crews were formed around New York City. This new form of breakdancing which emerged can be recognized from the old style of breakdancing from the variation of using new aerobic moves. These moves consisted of head spins, hand spins and flips. Very entertaining to watch, but at the same time very nerve- racking. These were now the "in" moves to breakdancing.
Today you can see breakdancing making its way into the mainstream. Popular artists are introducing forms of breakdancing into their music videos and more dance schools are offering it as a dance option since this genre of dance has become so popular in the past years. You might see it on the streets, at the studio, in movies, and now it is even on TV! Sooner or later breakdancing might work its way to live performances on broadway with the way things are going now.

Cultural Experience of Dance with Alvin Ailey

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was oringinally known as the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. Durin the 2000s decade, Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation announced plans for the construction of a new dance complex, complete with a number of different studios, a black box theater and office space for administrative and educational use. This state-of-the-art building will be the largest complex dedicated all to dance in the United States. Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and young students from The Ailey School perform on "Sesame Street" dancing alongside Big Bird and Elmo. This is kind of odd in a way because you would never think these modern dancers would be performing on a kids show, but with the talent these dancers have it is believable that they can get a job performing to anywhere.
Today, Alvin Ailey is still led by Artistic Director Judith Jamison, she was also awarded the highest award while they were in France. Ailvin Ailey Dance Theater has gone on to perform for an estimated millions of people, several states, and even a large number of countries. The company has earned a reputation as an internaitonal dance place of American culture, promoting the unique style of the African-American cultural experience and Ailey also focuses on the art of American modern dancing.